Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 236 The Collapse of the Study Group

As the last rays of the setting sun faded, the door to a spacious classroom was suddenly pushed open.

"Squeak-"

The harsh sound of the door opening made Thea frown. Looking at the empty classroom, Thea stood at the door for a while, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

After a long while, she slowly walked over and sat in the seat at the head of the table.

The classroom was well-sealed, but Thea could still hear footsteps passing by outside from time to time. Strangely, the footsteps, which were normally at a normal pace, would suddenly quicken or deliberately soften when passing through the classroom—as if a prehistoric beast was being kept inside.

"laugh--"

Thea couldn't help but let out a soft scoff, but a sense of disappointment inexplicably welled up inside her...

"Squeak-"

The classroom welcomed its second guest besides Thea. The person remained silent, walked straight to the second seat, and sat down.

Throughout the entire process, there was no sound other than the sound of the door opening and closing.

Before long, one after another, the guests quietly took their seats.

Even after the classroom was completely full, none of the guests made a sound.

"—With you all acting like this, I thought you were here for a memorial service."

Thea's words seemed like a casual joke, but strangely, no one dared to take the bait.

Because they could all hear the deep disappointment in Thea's voice.

They kept their heads down, none daring to meet Thea's gaze, afraid of meeting her eyes which were still bright and clear, but whose depths concealed countless disappointments and anger.

"—Daphne."

"Has everyone arrived today?"

Daphne rose tremblingly, struggling to suppress the urge to turn and run, stammering, "...No...nothing—"

"Why didn't the people who didn't come?"

Thea continued to ask questions patiently, but Daphne wished she could just faint; she was terrified of Thea in this state.

Seeing Daphne's horrified look, Thea lost interest in asking any further questions and turned to look at the people in the other seats.

The moment they were forced to meet her gaze, almost everyone immediately lowered their heads, secretly lamenting that they should never have come!

Thea, who was skilled in mind control, effortlessly "heard" these people's thoughts. The smile on her lips gradually widened, but her eyes grew colder and colder.

"It's okay, anyway, no one needs to come anymore."

Thea's words were like a pardon to Daphne, but they struck everyone like a bolt from the blue.

Even though they had some suspicions beforehand, they didn't expect Thea to be so direct.

Compared to everyone's surprise, Daphne's thoughts were much simpler—

"As long as Thea can take her anger out on other people, that's fine!"

Thea ignored Daphne's thoughts. She sat ramrod straight in the head seat, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said calmly,

"Today is our last knowledge-sharing gathering—"

Upon hearing this, even Draco and the others couldn't sit still, as Thea had never mentioned this to them before!

Thea continued, "Starting tomorrow, the knowledge-sharing gatherings will be completely cancelled..."

"All positions within the sharing session have also been eliminated..."

"All books, materials, and magical items from the sharing session will be returned to you this week according to the sharing list—"

As Thea explained everything in detail, many people panicked, and the whispers grew louder.

Thea ignored her completely and simply recited the instructions she had rehearsed countless times.

"--etc!"

Countless astonished eyes were focused on this "warrior," with Daphne's being the most impressed.

Being interrupted so suddenly, Thea, who rarely experienced this, was also taken aback.

In a moment of stunned silence, the "warrior" bravely launched another attack on Thea.

"Dorothea, why did you choose to lead the special operations team?"

When the question was asked, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then, as if copied and pasted, they turned their heads blankly to look at Thea at the head of the table.

silence.

The extreme silence created a stifling atmosphere.

"What authority do members of the special operations team have to deduct points from the academy's score?"

"And what right do you have to monitor all the young wizards at Hogwarts?"

The three questions were all more suffocating than the last.

In the midst of extreme repression, everyone awaited Thea's answer—or perhaps... her anger.

"—The answer to the first question—"

Thea finally spoke, and everyone pricked up their ears, afraid of missing anything.

"Because I am still studying at Hogwarts, and Professor Umbridge has the authority to appoint leaders of student organizations."

Everyone suddenly realized, and then... they didn't believe it.

Facing the skeptical looks from the crowd, Thea continued slowly, "As for the second and third questions, you can find the answers in the education order."

After explaining, Thea quietly looked at the person standing ramrod straight; it was Helene Davis—a Ravenclaw.

Just when everyone thought Helene would continue asking questions, she suddenly sat down—as suddenly as she had stood up.

Thea didn't say anything more, but continued to read out what she had in mind.

"...Does anyone have anything to add?"

"If not, this gathering is now over."

The young wizards below remained silent. Just as Thea was about to end the gathering, a tiny voice suddenly appeared.

"...Why...why did you suddenly announce the cancellation of the rally?"

Upon hearing the voice, Thea looked up—but she didn't recognize the person at first glance.

It's rare.

However, seeing the other person's blushing and shy appearance because of being stared at by everyone, Thea suddenly realized.

"There's no reason..."

Thea tried to keep her voice gentle, "I just feel like it's getting boring."

The little girl wanted to press for more information, but looking at the shadows under Thea's eyes and recalling the recent atmosphere at Hogwarts... she slowly sat down.

"To be honest, I had these arrangements in mind as soon as the first education order was issued..."

"But...I didn't expect...it would take so long to say it..."

"...It's a bit of a pity..."

"...All that effort was wasted..."

As she walked out of the classroom, Thea couldn't help but mutter a few words to herself.

The young wizards weren't stupid; they knew what Thea was lamenting. She was lamenting that they had already secured the right to maintain the study group from Umbridge, but in the end... the study group collapsed in such a ridiculous way.

They were well aware that the atmosphere at Hogwarts had been oppressive and restless lately. To avoid further conflicts between the four houses, these gatherings where the four houses coexisted should be minimized, as this would be better for everyone.

but………

Can they really get used to life after the study group is disbanded?

"Thea!"

Draco, who was rushing after her, called out to Thea, "Isn't there any other way?"

All the young wizards held their breath, waiting for Thea to succeed as always.

After a long wait, a barely audible sigh sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

Even with all her extraordinary abilities, Thea could not overcome the will of the people.